Eric Booth Jr. Selected by Baltimore Orioles with No. 7 Overall Pick in 2026 MLB Draft

Eric Booth Jr., a versatile outfielder from Oak Grove, Mississippi, was selected by the Baltimore Orioles with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. The three-sport prep athlete combines elite speed and demonstrated power, making him an immediate prospect for the franchise's outfield depth.

From Multi-Sport Star to Professional Baseball

Booth Jr. faced a significant decision during his high school years. He excelled across three sports—baseball, basketball, and football—each showcasing different dimensions of his athleticism. The choice to focus exclusively on baseball ultimately positioned him as one of the nation's top prep prospects heading into the draft. His decision proved decisive: multiple major-league organizations expressed interest before Baltimore secured him at No. 7.

The athlete inherits his competitive DNA from his father, Eric Sr., who was a standout at Southern Mississippi. The elder Booth was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993 but chose to continue his college athletic career. In 1997, he averaged 34.8 yards per kick return for Southern Miss, ranking second nationally in Division I. He also scored kickoff return touchdowns against Tennessee and Houston, demonstrating the explosiveness now evident in his son.

Speed and Power: A Dual Threat Profile

Booth Jr.'s athletic profile centers on two core strengths. His speed has drawn the most attention from scouts and analysts, but the underlying power represents equal significance for his professional ceiling. He won the Home Run Derby at the Perfect Game All-American Classic, indicating the capacity to hit at least 20 home runs at the professional level. This combination of speed and power is relatively rare in high school prospects entering the draft.

At 18 years old—having celebrated his birthday on July 4—Booth Jr. ranks among the youngest products in this draft class, standing as the 11th youngest draft-eligible prospect. This age advantage typically translates into extended development runway within a professional organization's farm system.